Three correction officers and a captain were reportedly assaulted by an inmate at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center on Rikers Island on Saturday, 5 September, prompting calls for tighter security at the New York City jail.
The Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association (COBA) said the incident took place at the facility’s clinic. One officer suffered a fractured nose, while the other officers were left with bruising to their faces.
The union described the attack as unprovoked and said the officers had been assaulted while carrying out their duties. Officials have not released the inmate’s name or said whether charges have been filed.
Benny Boscio Jr, COBA’s president, called for immediate measures to prevent further violence, including reduced time outside cells and the rapid transfer of violent inmates to enhanced supervision units.
“These violent assaults on our officers continue unabated because of the Department’s continued failure to impose meaningful consequences for violent crimes committed in our jails,” Mr Boscio said.
He also said the city’s Department of Correction was required to submit enhanced security and accountability plans to the remediation manager by 1 October.
Mr Boscio urged prosecutors to pursue the strongest possible case against the inmate, including a consecutive sentence if he is convicted of assaulting correction officers.
The New York City Department of Correction has yet to provide further details about the circumstances of the attack.
